Ricebran Oil Biodiesel's Performance, Emission and Endurance Test on a CIDI Transport Engine

Increased environmental awareness and depletion of resources are driving industry to develop alternative fuels that are environmentally more acceptable. Fatty acids esters (biodiesel) are known to be good alternative fuels. Due to economic reasons, the use of cheap raw materials for biodiesel production is preferred. In this case, ricebran oil, non-edible grade is used. Base catalyzed transesterification of ricebran oil is investigated and process parameters for ricebran biodiesel production are optimized. Various properties like viscosity, density, flash point, calorific value of biodiesel thus prepared are characterized as per ASTM D6751 and found comparable to mineral diesel. Steady state engine dynamometer test at 1800 rpm has been carried out to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of a medium duty transportation DI diesel engine. Emission tests with all the fuel blends have also been carried out using European 13 MODE test (ECE R49). Experimental investigations have been carried out to examine the combustion characteristics in a direct injection transportation diesel engine running with diesel, biodiesel (rice-bran oil methyl ester), and its blends. Endurance tests were conducted with 20% blend of the ROME with mineral diesel. Tests were conducted under predetermined loading cycles in two phases: engine operating on mineral diesel and engine fuelled with 20% biodiesel blend. To quantify the wear of cylinder liner, surface parameters and scanning electron microscopy at different location in the liner (TDC, BDC and mid stroke) were done and investigated. A qualitative analysis was also carried out by taking surface profiles at same locations.